DEFAME Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'defame' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defame are asperse , calumniate , malign , slander , traduce , and vilify . While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name. // sued them for defaming her reputation

Q: When could 'asperse' be used to replace 'defame'?

In some situations, the words asperse and defame are roughly equivalent. However, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction. // both candidates aspersed the other's motives

Q: When is it sensible to use 'calumniate' instead of 'defame'?

While the synonyms calumniate and defame are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions. // falsely calumniated as a traitor

Q: Where would 'malign' be a reasonable alternative to 'defame'?

Although the words malign and defame have much in common, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. // the most maligned monarch in British history

Q: In what contexts can 'slander' take the place of 'defame'?

The meanings of slander and defame largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim. // town gossips slandered their good name

Q: When can 'traduce' be used instead of 'defame'?

The words traduce and defame are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim. // so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

Q: When would 'vilify' be a good substitute for 'defame'?

The words vilify and defame can be used in similar contexts, but vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse. // no criminal was more vilified in the press

defame

verb

di-ˈfām

Definition of defame next

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to accuse

archaic to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defame differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defame are asperse, calumniate, malign, slander, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When could asperse be used to replace defame?

In some situations, the words asperse and defame are roughly equivalent. However, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is it sensible to use calumniate instead of defame?

While the synonyms calumniate and defame are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

Where would malign be a reasonable alternative to defame?

Although the words malign and defame have much in common, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

In what contexts can slander take the place of defame?

The meanings of slander and defame largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When can traduce be used instead of defame?

The words traduce and defame are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When would vilify be a good substitute for defame?

The words vilify and defame can be used in similar contexts, but vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defame My purpose in sharing this is not to cast blame or defame any specific individual, but rather to educate and equip other leaders. —

Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024 Politicians from India’s ruling BJP party accused him of defaming the nation and filed criminal charges. —

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024 Victims' families filed lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas accusing Jones of defaming them on his show and inflicting emotional distress by repeatedly suggesting that the shooting, in which a gunman killed 20 first-grade children and six adults, was a hoax. —

Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 Someone else asked if the Mercedes was the same one he had been ordered to turn over to the Georgia election officials he had been found guilty of defaming. —

The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for defame

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defame

Verb

Luckily for anyone still Christmas shopping, however, the court has continued pressing Giuliani for his assets, which are expected to be sold at auction to pay for a portion of the damages owed to the plaintiffs, whom Giuliani libelled with false claims of election malfeasance.

Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Angered by both the initial post and the follow-up, Mann filed a lawsuit against National Review in October of 2012, claiming that both Steyn and Lowry had not only libeled him, but were guilty of the intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The Editors, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024